Syllabus
REL 401 Seminar in Christian Ethics
Fall 2005 T/TH 12:15-1:30
Course Description:
This is an advanced course in religious ethics, focusing on primary source readings of Christian theological ethics in the 20th century from authors such as Reinhold Niebuhr, Paul Ramsey, John Howard Yoder, and Stanley Hauerwas. We will examine their methodologies, religious contexts, theological assumptions and anthropological conclusions and how these affect their treatment of particular issues.
Course Objectives:
At the end of the course:
• Students will be able to demonstrate through writing and discussion a familiarity with the major figures in 20th century Christian ethics.
• Students will be able to explain how theology and ethics are connected in these figures
• Students will have developed the reading skills to read primary source works in contemporary theological ethics.
• Student will have begun to develop their own ethical framework based upon their particular theological outlook.
Prerequisites:
REL 106 is required for this course. Exploring Christian Theology is highly recommended. This is a 400 level religion course. Be prepared for a significant amount of reading each and every week.
The grade will be based on three factors.
Participation, preparation, and attendance 10% See below.
Ethics Journal 10%
Papers 20% each 60% See paper guidelines.
Final Exam 20%
Attendance/Preparation/Participation Grade will be calculated as follows:
Grade: A
Near perfect attendance, high level of preparation, participates actively without needing to be called upon. You cannot receive an A if you miss more than three classes without excuse, no matter how good your participation is. You will not receive an A just for attending or even for responding only when called upon. “A” work is reserved for those individuals who come to class well prepared, having done the reading and sought to absorb it. “A” students bring questions to class, engage their fellow students and not just the professor, and generally make a significant contribution to the success of the class.
This class is a “seminar” format, meaning very little lecture on my part. You must come prepared and ready to discuss.
A quick way to drop a letter grade for participation is to not show up (even just once) with the relevant readings.
Grade: B
Missed a reasonable number of classes (less than three), often did the readings but not always, participated at times. Came to class prepared on most days, but not all. Actively followed the class discussion even though they did not say as much as “A” work students.
Grade: C
Missed class often, seldom did readings, participated only when called upon. Note: you can get a C even if you attend every class, if you never participate.
Grade: F
Generally, this grade can only be “achieved” by working diligently to consistently miss class. If you miss more than 5-6 classes, you will receive an F.
If you miss more than six classes, I reserve the right to lower your grade, even to the point of course failure . Repeated absence from class is simply unacceptable for my course. It shows disrespect for your fellow classmates and disrupts the overall ethos of the class.
*Determination of level of reading preparation may be partially determined by pop quizzes on the readings. These are not formally calculated into grade but will help me (at times) get a sense of who is doing the reading and at what level.
Ethics Reflection Journal
Each week you must write 1-2 pages in your ethics reflection journal in which you reflect upon the readings for the week. There are many ways to do this. You might ask questions that need clarification in class. You might talk about something you found interesting or compelling. You may wish to criticize the readings in some fashion. You may wish to relate the readings to your own experience. You might engage in some exegesis of a Biblical passage that relates to the readings.
In some way, engage the readings.
This is turned in each week on Monday and should cover the reading for that week (even if we behind ). I will not grade them during the semester but I will give some very brief feedback, especially in the beginning. At the end of the semester you will turn in your journal for a grade. The grade will be based upon the amount of thought and effort that went into the entries, the quality of the writing, and the degree to which you read and engaged the readings.
You are responsible for 8 journal entries over the course of the semester. I will not accept multiple entries at the end of the semester. For each entry missing, your journal grade will be dropped one letter grade. (In other words, each missing journal entry will reduce your overall grade for the class by one point.)
You are welcome to go back and expand on previous points, reflections, or ideas before you turn it in at the end of the semester. You must turn in the original journal entries, so keep them!
You are welcome to take a journal entry and expand it to make a paper. However, be clear that a paper is normally much more systematic, organized, and directive than a journal entry.
Students with documented disabilities who require academic adjustment for this class are requested to contact me to discuss reasonable accommodations. While not require, it is in the best interest of the student have this conversation early in the semester. In order to receive academic adjustments, paperwork from Disability Services must be provided to document this need. Disability Services is located in 105 Amstutz, X 5953.
Academic Integrity
I take academic integrity very seriously. Failure to properly cite your sources is a serious violation. If I feel that you have intentionally plagiarized, you will, at minimum, receive a zero for the assignment and, at maximum, fail the course. See my website for more information on plagiarism.
Professor Availability
Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 9:30-10:50 and M/W/F at 11:00
Miller 35B X5208
Home: 419-207-8517
E-mail: kfedler@ashland.edu
1. Reinhold Niebuhr, Nature and Destiny of Man
Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press ISBN: 0664257097
2. John Howard Yoder, The Politics of Jesus
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.; 2nd edition ISBN: 0802807348
3. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
Publisher: Touchstone Books; # ISBN: 0684815001
4. Ron Sider, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger
Publisher: Word Publishers; ISBN 0-8499-1424-8
5. Stanley Hauerwas, The Peaceable Kingdom
Publisher: Univ of Notre Dame Press ISBN: 0268015546
6. Jim Wallis, Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It
Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco ISBN 0060558288
Reading Schedule
I. Reinhold Niebuhr, The Nature and Destiny of Man
August 30
Introduction to Niebuhr and his Context
“Introduction” by Robin Lovin
Niebuhr, Nature and Destiny of Man
I.4-7 Classical View of Man
I.12-18 Christian View (Unity of Body and Soul, Image of God, Sinner)
I.167-169 Man as Creature
I.178-207 Man as Sinner (Note: 178-179 are very important)
September 6
Niebuhr, Nature and Destiny of Man I. 208-240
Niebuhr, Nature and Destiny of Man I. 251-269
September 8
Niebuhr, Nature and Destiny of Man II.6-16, 35-42, 47-57; 68-100
September 13
Niebuhr, Nature and Destiny of Man II. 244-269
September 15
“The Ethic of Jesus” from An Interpretation of Christian Ethics ”
“Why the Christian Church is Not Pacifist”
II. John Howard Yoder The Politics of Jesus
September 20
John Howard Yoder, The Politics of Jesus , chapters 1-2
September 22
The Politics of Jesus , chapters 3, 7
September 27-29
The Politics of Jesus , chapters 8, 10, 12
Selection from “He Came Preaching Peace”
III. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Cost of Discipleship
October 4-6
Cost of Discipleship , Chapters 1-4, 6-13
October 11-13
Cost of Discipleship Chapters 21-29, 32
IV. Stanley Hauerwas, The Peaceable Kingdom
October 18-20
“Reforming Christian Social Ethics: Ten Theses” Handout
Peaceable Kingdom , 1-6, 17-34, 50-64
October 25-27
Peaceable Kingdom , 72-91; 99-115, 121-149
November 1-3
Handouts: Resident Aliens , Chapter 2
Articles to be announced.
Topic: Social and Economic Justice
V. Ron Sider, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger
November 8-24
VI. James Wallis, Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It